Looking to buy a G8 GT what should I look for ?

[bird dog]

Hey guys new to the site and clueless when it comes to G8 GTs. What if any are known or common issues to look for in a used one. Thanks in advance

[MongosG8]

Just a few issues
But
See below!


I'm sure others will add comments too.

[SpeedRacerX]

Buy from one of the G8 owners and enthusiasts on these forums. Most of us have sorted out any shortcomings and have cars now better than original.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

[-Ray-]

It's usually not wise to buy a car that you are clueless about. It's time to inform yourself. Read, read, read.

[MongosG8]

Buy from one of the G8 owners and enthusiasts on these forums. Most of us have sorted out any shortcomings and have cars now better than original.

This

&


It's usually not wise to buy a car that you are clueless about. It's time to inform yourself. Read, read, read.

This!

[Rawyzf]

Just buy mine, you'll be happy.

[TonyKarter]

IMHO, look for one that has been garage kept obviously, but more importantly one that still retains as much of the stock appearance as possible. Stray very far from stock appearance and your resale value will suffer. GXP diffuser? Yes. Plasti-dipped anything? Hell no. To each his own. I am just not one to be drawn to a car that has been highly visually modified to personalize it to the taste of the previous owner. Nice wheels are great, and most any car on these forums that has power modifications will have been done with love and care. A good CAI, headers and tune I think is a plus. You were probably going to do that anyway. Heck, a good cam, yeah, that can be a plus too, but the valve train is the weak link here. Each component must be of the highest quality or you just have a time bomb on your hands. Research this here to determine what pieces you don't want.

Drivetrain upgrades are a plus. Aftermarket brakes a double plus as stock ones are marginal. Suspension mods can be a plus if you are okay with the ride quality, but exercise due diligence in accurately determining how many miles since install. As a road course junkie I have monitored the suspension upgrade threads intently, and what I have gathered is that these have life spans that mature quickly, and replacement shortly after purchase may be an unexpected expense of surprising magnitude.

I know I will be stating the obvious and in doing so stepping on some toes by saying this. I apologize if I offend anyone for saying it, but it is a universally accepted truth (and if you don't agree you are just lying to yourself): stay away from anything that previously had nitrous on it. After all, who you want to marry? A nice girl you met in church...or a burnt out, tattooed meth whore who has been ridden hard and put away wet too many times, and who has been burning the candle at both ends?

[Rawyzf]

IMHO, look for one that has been garage kept obviously, but more importantly one that still retains as much of the stock appearance as possible. Stray very far from stock appearance and your resale value will suffer. GXP diffuser? Yes. Plasti-dipped anything? Hell no. To each his own. I am just not one to be drawn to a car that has been highly visually modified to personalize it to the taste of the previous owner. Nice wheels are great, and most any car on these forums that has power modifications will have been done with love and care. A good CAI, headers and tune I think is a plus. You were probably going to do that anyway. Drivetrain upgrades are a plus. Aftermarket brakes a double plus as stock ones are marginal.



In short, you mean, buy my car because it matches the description above.

[TonyKarter]

Yeah, pretty much so! You don't really want to part with it do you? It looks like you have put a ton of love into it.

[Rawyzf]

Yeah, pretty much so! You don't really want to part with it do you? It looks like you have put a ton of love into it.

I have it listed for sale. If it doesn't sell, I'll be happy because I do love the car. If it sell, I'll be happy too because I can get my dream car, 68-69 Camaro.

[Jae]

Drive every one you can. I almost bought one for 25k that only had 18,000 miles... first one I ever drove and I loved it, but it had a weird rear end clunk on acceleration.. with the mileage situation it was hard to not just buy it right there but I figured I would shop around and see if the clunk was just how it was or what.
Bought mine about 3 months later, with 35,000 on the clock but no rear end clunk and had brand new LCAs and ball joints.

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[bird dog]

Thanks guys for all the input and advise. I just didnt know if they had any issues outside of the normal things you look for in any car. I think I have one located to buy. They are pretty hard to come by here in Nevada.

[Springwood]

I found mine by searching craigslist and the auto sites like cars.com. Be patient and be willing to drive a little.

A couple things to look for are cars that come with "optional equipment". There is a "Premium Package" that has heated leather seats that are 6 way adjustable. A "Sports Package" that upgrades the wheels to 19" with summer tires. Also an option for a sunroof. Sometimes the car ads don't mention whether the car has options, so look for some clues like the heated seat switches next to the gear shifter, and the style of the wheels; I would refrain from tipping your hand that the car might be worth more due to the options (the dealer I bought mine from had no idea the car had $2,000 of options on it).

[tchr49]

Don't be afraid to travel to get a good one.
Seriously, though, the forum is a great place to buy a good, sorted out, tastefully modded G8. The price of a ticket somewhere can easily outweigh buying something with a "surprise" later on.
People here take their cars seriously, and you'll be much better off in the long run. In a perfect world, you could buy your neighbor's garage queen but it doesn't work that way very often.
Find/buy a car like Rawyzf's and be done with it...

[06PBM]

I looked for about 3 months before finding mine on the forums. It was right in front of me the whole time! And as others stated, make sure you drive a few before making a decision. Good luck in your search!

[bird dog]

Well guys after looking at a few G8 GTs on the internet I bought one. What a blast to drive. Its a early 09 model. One question I have is what option package came with the red gauges and red center section in the seats? It has the 19" wheels and sunroof . Thanks for all the replies too.

[-Ray-]

Well guys after looking at a few G8 GTs on the internet I bought one. What a blast to drive. Its a early 09 model. One question I have is what option package came with the red gauges and red center section in the seats? It has the 19" wheels and sunroof . Thanks for all the replies too.

The red/oynx seats weren't an option. They were either fitted or not. Congrats on the purchase.

[travis gore]

Well guys after looking at a few G8 GTs on the internet I bought one. What a blast to drive. Its a early 09 model. One question I have is what option package came with the red gauges and red center section in the seats? It has the 19" wheels and sunroof . Thanks for all the replies too.
congrats on the new ride. let the modding begin

[tchr49]

congrats on the new ride. let the modding begin

Oh boy! Here we go......

[GM Customer Service]

Hello bird dog,

Congratulations on your recent purchase of your G8!

Gregory W.
GM Customer Care

[GXPaycheck]

Where are you located? Maybe someone local can show you some things about their car or look at the other one for ya.

Whoops! never mind. I see you got it!
Location and pics anyway!